Pilgrim’s Progress: Doubting Castle

Christian is faced with more challenges as his journey continues, but he is not alone, because of his new friend Hopeful.

Let’s follow the two pilgrims as they meet new foes and are captured by a giant of Doubting Castle…

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The first part of this chapter tells about Christian and Hopeful meeting By-Ends, an inconsistent and dishonest fellow who argues with them before they move on.

By-Ends is from the town of Fair-Speech, and represents the people who have smooth tongues and can talk about Christianity, but don’t truly follow the Lord.

Off the Path

Then, during an especially rocky and uncomfortable section of the Way, they stray slightly of the Path onto an easier section. Eventually but accidentally, they end up lost.

That night, they unknowingly fall asleep on the property of a Giant.

The Giant is NOT happy.

As a punishment for trespassing, he captures them and puts them in a cage, beats them, and is overall an unpleasant host.

Giants and Despair…and a Promise

While sitting, sore from the constant affliction, in that cage, Christian begins to despair.

He believes hope is gone. He blames himself for getting into the mess, and wants to die.

Then, after a conversation with Hopeful, he remembers the Promise that he has from the Interpreter–God’s Promise.

It also happens to be a key that opens the lock on their cage.

They escape from the Giant’s castle and find the Way again, praising their King.

The Key

Just like Christian, we can get down on ourselves.

All we gotta do to get out of this cage of hopelessness is use the Key.

I hope you liked this post! Stay tuned for more Pilgrims Progress posts and until then, happy reading!!